Provincial Rugby - The Future for Pontypridd
A future for Ponty?
By Webmaster
November 11 2002
Provincial Rugby is the main talking point in Wales at the moment but do Pontypridd supporters want to watch Provincial rugby? We have made some suggestions about what Ponty can do and what the Supporters do to get their views heard.
IS THIS THE FUTURE FOR PONTYPRIDD?
It wasn't that long ago that the Welsh Rugby Union announced changes to qualify for next seasons Heiniken Cup but after the revelations that they are about to make radical changes to the game in Wales - what is the point in changing the qualification system?
Pontypridd look likely to be merged with Cardiff and the newly formed province will play at Cardiff. However, there are rumoured to be some problems in implementing this proposal - both Pontypridd and Cardiff want to stand alone as a province. Pontypridd, last seasons Principality Cup winners and leaders of Pool B of the Celtic League seem to have been forgotten by the WRU as they look to make Cardiff the base for the Valleys/Cardiff team.
What could Pontypridd do to stop this happening?
Ponty don't really have a lot of options but they could hope that the WRU proposal gets rejected by all the clubs in the Union in January's meeting. Alternatively, the clubs are putting their own proposal to the WRU in December and so Pontypridd may be included in this.
Other possible ways are by Pontypridd winning this season's Parker Pen Cup, giving them automatic qualification into the Heiniken Cup next season or they could repeat Cardiff and Swansea's actions a few years ago during the "rebel season". Pontypridd could look to be included in the English National League and then gain Promotion to the Zurich Premiership although there are probably some rules in place which will prevent all of these from happening.
What can the supporters do to get their views heard?
Supporters could send their views to the Western Mail/ South Wales Echo saying what they think of the WRU's proposals. Also, supporters could organise a protest/petition at the televised Neath game or supporters could make posters/banners and show them to the cameras at the Neath game - Get people to notice. Perhaps the supporters websites could even have a poster which can be printed out by fans to take with them?
It's important that the views of the fans get heard because it is us, the fans who will be expected to go and watch these provincial teams play. But, do Ponty fans want to go to Cardiff to watch a provincial team that will probably be called "Cardiff"?
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